The Legislative Council Committee on Welfare Services today (13th) discussed the government’s plan to establish a mandatory reporting mechanism for suspected child abuse cases. According to the government’s inter-policy bureau working group’s recommendations, the “mandatory reporting” mechanism covers seven types of professionals, including teachers, medical staff, and social workers. And so on, community nanny, foster parents, tuition teacher, etc. should not be restrained.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-Kwong pointed out that if the legislation covers too broad a scope, the reporting mechanism may be abused or even backfired, failing to help battered children. Some non-professionals may: "Report it again, don't report it again."
Practical Roundtable Member Tian Beichen said that legislation reporting is the key to the issue of child abuse. He is concerned about whether the authorities will cover vulnerable persons 16 years of age or older.
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Tian Beichen advocates "mandatory reporting" of protected persons to be raised to over 16 years old
Practical Roundtable Member Tian Beichen said that legislative reporting on child abuse is the key. He is concerned about whether the authorities will cover vulnerable persons aged 16 or above, and whether law enforcement officers need to participate in reporting.
Luo Zhiguang: Too spicy legislation may have counterproductive effects
Luo Zhiguang responded that children under the age of 16 are relatively helpless people. The authorities tend to be the most concerned group in society first, and it is easier to cooperate with local laws, but it is not without considering raising the age of protection to 18 years old.
He also pointed out that law enforcement officers themselves accept reports from others and ask why they are required to participate in the report.
He said that some non-professionals may "report and not report again," and law enforcement agencies may waste a lot of manpower and material resources to deal with non-emergency cases, which is counterproductive.
In addition, Luo Zhiguang said that the legislation aims to prevent children from being abused. If the law is too hot, it may be counterproductive.
Mandatory reporting of child abuse legislation is expected to take one to two years
The Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong said that reasonable steps are needed to protect children under the age of 12 to meet actual needs. However, some people are worried and hope that the authorities will relieve the industry's misgivings so as not to fall into the law without knowing it.
Luo Zhiguang said that it takes a long time to discuss and formulate relevant legislation to compulsory reporting, and public consultation is also required. As it may involve amendments to professional codes and involve subsidiary legislation, it is estimated that it will take one to two years.
Luo Zhiguang pointed out that it is estimated that it will take one to two years as it may involve the revision of professional codes and the involvement of subsidiary legislation.
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The Law Reform Commission recently issued a report recommending the enactment of new laws to impose criminal liability on bystanders and care institutions in abuse cases.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-Kwong said that although the Law Reform Commission did not take a stand on mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse cases, the work on the responsibility to protect children is closely related to today’s issues.
In addition, Luo Zhiguang said in response to a question from a member of the travel industry, Yao Sirong, that whistleblowers will be protected. If someone leaks the whistleblower's information, he will be held criminally responsible. As for sentencing considerations, he said that it is left to the judicial system to determine the sentencing criteria.
The proposed mechanism for compulsory reporting of child abuse did not report or be held criminally responsible. Yang Chaofa: Worry about increasing pressure from doctors News: The government intends to compulsorily report child abuse to protect children under the age of 16 and offenders can imprison 3 years and 5 years old girl torture case | Mandatory reporting of child abuse repair For example, the children’s group of the National Librarianship Council is disappointed this year. Lei Zhang Shenjia: Do not worry about compulsory reporting of child abuse will be abused. Legislation needs to be layered and step-by-step.
